The City of Wayzata held a “Sand Breaking” event to commerate the beginning of construction of the Lakewalk (Phase 2A) of the Panoway project on July 11th, 2023.
Custom One Homes – New Construction
Additional construction timeline updates can be found on by visiting this website.
Parking & density issues top Council concerns, redevelopment approval seems imminent
Lakewest Development owner Curt Fretham has been seeking to redevelop the former TCF headquarters lot for the past several years.
Each time the developer has been in front of the Wayzata Planning Commission & City Council, his proposals have been denied for various reasons.
Image courtesy Lakewest Development
Opposition in 2021 to the removal of the exist- ing building was fierce with over 2,000 persons signing a petition supporting denial of any re- development in order to preserve the building.
Fretham’s latest plan was before the Wayzata City Council in late June and was again denied unanimously. The plan included 6 requests from the City including a rezoning to commercial use from the existing CUP.
The rationale behind the denial this time was related primarily to a plan to share parking stalls among condo owners and retail and of- fice or daytime users.
However, the comments from the Council and community members seems to be shifting to- wards approval of a redevelopment of the site.
Becky Pierson, the President of the Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce, indicated in public remarks that in reviewing the informa- tion in the application with the Chamber Board that, “…this is a large section of the west end that has been vacant for approximately 8 years 200 Lake Plan Denied, Again and probably 10 years by the time we get some approvals. We have had several developers that have tried to develop this very difficult lot, failed, and given up and it feels like this pro- posal has evolved to something that is accept- able…” Pierson continued, “I’m looking at this not at a detail level but from a very large corri- dor perspective, and the [Chamber] Board felt that… …[the City] should bring this applica- tion to approval and completion however you can do that.”
Council member Jeff Parkhill weighed in on the application, “I think you guys have nailed it on the look and feel, the design… …I think the scale of the property drives the parking needs, if it were smaller there would be less demand, so it’s kind of a self imposed problem for you guys.”
Council member Cathy Iverson stated, “Thank you for your resilience, because you have been after this for a while. I see you are not a quitter, and each time I think the appli- cation has gotten better. Thank you for that… …but I think the density is driving the parking issue.”
Council member Alex Plecash remarked, “Lots of pros to talk about tonight, but let me start with this: rezoning this makes sense to me. It absolutely should be rezoned in my opinion. Redevelopment is also very necessary for everyone involved. The big [issue] for me among all the parking issues is that residents Curt Fretham addresses the Wayzata City Council. Parking & density issues top Council concerns, redevelopment approval seems imminent would not have dedicated parking. If I was go- ing to buy a place that costs whatever it costs to live there, I would want to know that I had dedicated parking. There may be creative ways to fix that.”
Fretham responded, “I appreciate all the hard work and deliberation of the staff and the council and the outside third parties. The comp plan says to used a CUP for parking wherever possible, so we did that.”
Fretham will likely be back in front of the City with another application in the coming months.
Stay tuned to Wayzata.com for more informa- tion on this and other City business.
During the first meeting of 2023, the City of Wayzata swore in Molly MacDonald and Jeff Parkhill to serve 4 year terms.
MacDonald won re-election after being appointed to Johanna Mouton’s seat when she won the Mayor’s race. Parkhill most recently served as Planning Commission Chair. Jeff Buchanan did not seek re-election.
Wayzata.com recently reached out to the four candidates running for two City Council seats and asked them to weigh in on a number of topics including density versus charm, public safety and much more.
Here, in alphabetical order by last name are their responses: (click the name to jump to that candidate)
Publisher’s note
Candidates and members of the public may contact Wayzata.com publisher Dan Gustafson at (952) 473-1000 to request additional print copies for distribution.
Chris Hickman
Address: 484 Highscroft Road
Contact info: chrisallenhickman@gmail.com
Family: Wife of 44 years and 3 children
Community Involvement: 3 years coaching director Wayzata traveling Soccer Club, 10 years coaching youth boys soccer, Leading a committee of four, representing the boat slip user of Wayzata lagoon. Spouse PTA president 2 years Wayzata Middle School
Previous Experience: I come from 3 generations of builders, I owned and managed an office building over 40,000 square feet for over 20 years. I understand issues related to owning and developing property.
Why are you running for city council? As a 40 year airline captain following a disciplined and methodical process for short and long term goals, I will bring the same standard and values in planning and development of our city.
What would be your top priorities as a Council Member? City planning is a complicated process. You are balancing wants and needs of the developers and the residents who I feel should come first. You cannot leave the development of our city to chance. The process needs order, balance and symmetry.
Please characterize crime and public safety in Wayzata: Over the last several year, with the increased development of our city and increased number of visitors, the city has experienced higher incidents of theft, vandalism, etc. I am aware of many incidents and concerns of the residents through the Next door and by communicating with many residents.
What measures, if any, would you propose or support to address public safety including both the police & fire departments? Obviously our city needs increased policing especially during the summer month and weekends. I have been working on a coordinated effort between the police and fire department to implement new approaches to increase their visibility without any expense to the tax payers.
How would you prioritize the competing interests from those who seek to develop Wayzata and increase density versus those who want to see Wayzata remain charming and smaller? Most residents agree that the Wayzata Charm no longer exists. The 3.10 Square Miles of Wayzata’s land is almost completely developed. To add new buildings, we must demolish another one. We can still control the level of growth and density with common sense approaches.
What would you say to members of the public who feel their voices are not heard, and how would you stay in touch with the public? I believe that the residents concerns and their input in the development process is an essential part of this process. I will maintain a web site during my term as an avenue to keep residents informed and to hear their concerns and input.
Do you have any examples of a time when you held a dissenting opinion in a professional setting? How did you approach voicing your stance in the face of disagreement? As an airline captain (wide bodied), I went through many Crew Resource Management courses and implemented this information at each flight with three other pilots in the cockpit and with a crew of 12 flight attendants. I understand that every crew member has the right to express their concerns and I have learned to respect other opinions and to value their input when making a decision. Listening is an art.
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Molly MacDonald
Address: 367 Park St E
Contact info: mollylucy@icloud.com
Family: I’ve been married to Braden for 15 years. We’re so lucky to have both of our families nearby.
Community Involvement: I understand the Wayzata way of life. I’ve known it my entire life. I grew up here, I have invested my career here, my family is here. In 2017 I participated in a ‘think tank workshop’. I was 1 of 400 people who participated. I felt heard and I felt valued and it was a turning point in my community involvement. The outcome of those visioning exercises was the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Since then, I earned a seat on the Wayzata City Council and I look to that document and its guiding principles with every decision I make on the council. My experience on council has only deepened my commitment to serve. I now chair multiple committees, attend neighborhood and community events and I’m an active member of the Wayzata Chamber.
Previous Experience: I am the only candidate with experience on the Wayzata City Council. I’m accessible and engaged and I understand that residents come first. I listen and I am responsive. I am the only candidate with a business in Wayzata. I’m proud of my owner-operated retail store on Lake Street and it’s contribution to downtown Wayzata. I’m the only candidate who grew up in the community. I’m part of a multigenerational Wayzata family. My father in law served three terms on council and three more as mayor and my mother in law was a reporter for the Lakeshore Weekly. They encouraged me to get involved and to give back to the community.
Why are you running for city council? Two years ago I was appointed unanimously to the Wayzata City Council and many of you urged me to seek another term as Council Member. There are several important projects in Wayzata at various stages of completion. Such as, Phase 2a and 2b of Panoway on Wayzata Bay, development of the former TCF building site, and the Wayzata Boulevard Corridor Study to name a few. These are projects of great importance to Wayzata’s future and I want to see them to completion to ensure the values and vision of the residents will be considered during such a critical time.
What would be your top priorities as a Council Member? I will keep the city budget in line without sacrificing our city services. I will use policy to support our liquor operations. I can apply my expertise and understanding of retail in Wayzata to our the Muni Operations. I will support efforts to maximize the profits at the Wine & Spirits to offset our tax levy and increase funds for our parks, police and city services. I will continue to fund our police department to keep our roads and parks safe for the residents. I will support our Chief of Police and his short term, mid term and long term action plane to combat noise and safety on our roads. And finally, I will remain responsive to residents which are directly impacted by development proposals and the high growth rate in Wayzata. I will use our guiding principles to keep Wayzata a quiet, friendly and beautiful community.
Please characterize crime and public safety in Wayzata: We had a busy and sometimes noisy summer in downtown, but overall (100% of the 400 people surveyed this year) people feel safe in Wayzata. I aim to keep our roads, our parks, and our neighborhoods safe by supporting the police department.
What measures, if any, would you propose or support to address public safety including both the police & fire departments? There are many tactics I support to combat noise and safety in Wayzata. In the short term, the city can install speed signs and noise ordinance signs, promote “if you see something, say something” messaging, and parking a ‘spare squad’ on Lake St. In the mid term, we can increase our citation fee for noise ordinance, explore broader technology with cameras and noise detection, and explore gates on the upper level of the Mill St ramp. Longer term, I support adding 2 additional sworn officers to our force next year and training more officers for our bike patrol. Additionally, it’s worth considering a broader strategy to diversify revenues in order to fund public safety from visitors such as a sales tax. I will continue to support our Fire Department as we consider a new full time fire chief, considering and planning for long term investments to our fleet, and encouraging new volunteers to join our Volunteer Fire Department.
How would you prioritize the competing interests from those who seek to develop Wayzata and increase density versus those who want to see Wayzata remain charming and smaller? The high growth rate remains a top concern of the residents. I will look at development proposals through the lens of the residents. Development should support their vision and their values. I will adhere to the public process to ensure transparency and encourage community engagement and feedback. My decisions will remain weighted toward the residents when developers deviate from our standards. I will continue to listen, be accessible and come to every meeting prepared and educated on agenda items.
What would you say to members of the public who feel their voices are not heard, and how would you stay in touch with the public? Please continue to voice your opinions and give feedback. I’m listening. My role on council is to represent the entire community and the residents come first, period. I invite members of the community to reach out to me directly, participate in neighborhood meetings/events, sign up for the city wide email list, join a committee or a commission. If you feel you aren’t being heard, let’s change that together. We can find a way to get you involved and be heard.
Do you have any examples of a time when you held a dissenting opinion in a professional setting? How did you approach voicing your stance in the face of disagreement? I was the only council member to vote against a parking variance on Lake Street this Summer. I remained steadfast in my knowledge of Lake Street. I assured the public and my colleagues that I have a front row seat to downtown Wayzata and that my dissenting vote was in the best interest of the community.
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Jeff Parkhill
Address: 539 Harrington Road
Contact info: jeffparkhillforwayzata@gmail.com
Family: Wife Karen and three children
Community Involvement:
Wayzata Planning Commission – 4 yrs – Currently Chairman
Wayzata Zoning Studies Task Force
Wayzata Blvd. Corridor Study Task Force
Wayzata Community Docks Task Force
JDRF Twin Cities Board of Directors – 4 yrs
Breck School Board of Trustees – 3 years
Previous Experience: MY BUSINESS BACKGROUND POSITIONS ME STRONGLY TO ADD VALUE QUICKLY IN COUNCIL: • Proven track record on Planning …You know how I have voted for the past 4 years • Former CPA – Fiscal austerity is my specialty…as it relates to our $20 mil city budget & tax levy. I can help! • 37 yrs. of business and real estate experience • High ethical standards and a willingness to embrace the true essence of the Wayzata code of conduct.
Why are you running for city council? TO SERVE MY COMMUNITY…PERIOD! – “Service is the rent we pay for being…..” Marian Wright Edelman. Our lakes and small-town feel are what make Wayzata one of the most wonderful places to live globally…it is a WORLD CLASS CITY and a true GEM. I want to make sure the community gets a VOICE in the future of this remarkable city…. Work with me to keep WAYZATA EXTRAORDINARY! #PROTECTWAYZATA
What would be your top priorities as a Council Member? My priorities:
• SMALL TOWN SMALL DEVELOPMENTS – building mass & scale must fit the location and be charming. If not, I VOTE NO!
• BALANCE RESIDENT AND BUSINESS INTERESTS:
1. How to handle the additional traffic, noise, & parking complaints?
2. How to pay for maintenance and incremental wear & tear on our community?
3. Our downtown is struggling under the influx of new visitors.
• PRIORITIZE LOCAL VOICES: All local property tax payers are my priority.
Please characterize crime and public safety in Wayzata. Crime is on the rise…with a major altercation between an adult and a young man last weekend. Wallets stolen out of purses at CoV. Let’s get this under control before it moves off Lake Street and into the neighborhoods and personal residences.
What measures, if any, would you propose or support to address public safety including both the police & fire departments? I agree with Council’s decision to expand the police force. Regain control of Lake St. by issuing tickets for show-off driving and modified mufflers, Lower the speed limit to 25 on Lake st.. Install license plate readers that trigger a greeting by Wayzata police for those that have caused prior problems. Stronger police presence.
How would you prioritize the competing interests from those who seek to develop Wayzata and increase density versus those who want to see Wayzata remain charming and smaller? I believe my voting record shows that I weight what neighbors and the people most affected by a development or a variance over the specific project. I am not anti-development at all, but I do believe that scale and mass must fit the site and the building must be charming or i vote NO!.
What would you say to members of the public who feel their voices are not heard, and how would you stay in touch with the public? My third priority above is to Prioritize Local Voices. If you are a property tax payer in Wayzata, you are my priority. My email is Jeffparkhillforwayzata@gmail.com and my cell is 612-699-1051
Do you have any examples of a time when you held a dissenting opinion in a professional setting? How did you approach voicing your stance in the face of disagreement? This happens on the Wayzata Planning commission every meeting. I am the Chair and seek out and appreciate opposing views. This helps us all get to the best answer for each issue that comes in front of us. I am a unifying voice and can certainly handle opposing views and stand my ground if i feel strongly another way.
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Larissa Stockton
Address: 208 Byrondale
Contact info: (310) 402-3870
Family: Harris, Lukas & Geneva Stockton
Community Involvement: Serving and connecting to our community is very important to me. Currently, I serve as Vice Chair of the Wayzata Planning Commission, member of the Zoning Study Task Force, the Design Study Task Force, and the Corridor Study Committee. These various roles have help me gain a greater understanding of Wayzata City Government and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. I am also active in my children’s school. Currently, I serve on The School Committee in their High School and volunteer in other capacities as well.
Previous Experience: Beyond my experience in Wayzata, I have run my own design practice and custom kitchen retail store in London, worked in residential renovation design and development, and have done business strategy and design consultation services internationally and locally. Previous to this, I worked for Andersen Consulting NYC and London offices in Change Management Strategy Consulting. I hold a Bachelors in Business Management & Marketing and a Masters in Architectural Interior Design. These skills have been valuable in my work with the city.
Why are you running for city council? As a Mom of three teenagers, I am focused on keeping Wayzata safe and enjoyable for generations to come. I am here all year long, all the time, and committed to seeing Wayzata thrive in all seasons. We love Wayzata because it is a safe and friendly lakeside community where everyone knows your name. On my daily walks with my dog, I enjoy the intimate feeling of charm that we must strive to protect. Some folks believe this is already lost, but I know we must keep an eye on our vision going forward to define and maintain the Wayzata Way of Life – prioritizing the daily experience of the Wayzata resident.
What would be your top priorities as a Council Member?
SAFETY: Support needed resources for our amazing Police & Fire Departments.
BUDGETING: Increase transparency and identify creative solutions to maximize tax dollars & manage a balance of seasonal cost drivers.
COMMUNITY: Enhance connected walkability, fully utilize Panoway & community amenities. HOUSING: Work creatively to identify strategies for needed affordable housing opportunities.
DEVELOPMENT: Mindful sustainable development focusing on our resident’s wants & needs, addressing traffic, noise & parking.
Please characterize crime and public safety in Wayzata. An increase in interest in Wayzata and its picturesque location, as well as broader migration trends, have brought an increase in traffic, congestion, noise and unfortunately crime. All of this impacts our community. We must proactively and iteratively set policy and tone of our environment and shared spaces so our community members are safe as they enjoy the experience of Wayzata daily life.
What measures, if any, would you propose or support to address public safety including both the police & fire departments? I would support an increase in police force numbers to address the influx of visitors we have in Wayzata daily. I would support the institution of a sales tax to provide resources for Police and Fire Departments. I would support foot/bike patrolling police presence in our shared areas at key times. Uniformed officers may also include a volunteer program that adds presence and sets tone; particularly in the Lake Street area and shopping centers. I would look for imminent ways to decrease speed along our roadways both through beautiful visual demarkation of town entrances as well as speed management tools that may or may not be permanent.
How would you prioritize the competing interests from those who seek to develop Wayzata and increase density versus those who want to see Wayzata remain charming and smaller? Lake Minnetonka, a superbly beautiful natural resource, is the foundation of Wayzata’s unique beauty and attraction. We must protect our foundation. Priority should take root formation on protecting our Lake, its views and access. We must never cast a shadow on our gem of a lakeside community and therefore be highly conscientious around height, massing, and density as we change over time. These items directly impact the health of our Lake. We must clarify our vision requirements in our code to ensure it is implemented. We can be proactive in identifying facades, buildings or parks we wish to preserve as established in size or scale today. We must look for creative solutions to add housing we need for all families that does not compromise or overshadow lake life simplicity. We must focus our vision of Wayzata around the daily experience of our resident’s quality of life.
What would you say to members of the public who feel their voices are not heard, and how would you stay in touch with the public? Attending council meetings, reading local news, and watching CCTV are important ways to stay informed. I have launched a feedback button on my website for anyone to comment, connect or add thoughts on how they define the Wayzata Way of Life. This is something that I will continue after I am elected. I am also out in the community daily year round, walking my dog and visiting with friends and neighbors. I am always open for a conversation with residents to hear their thoughts and concerns. I have made it a priority to meet with people from every aspect of our community to hear their perspectives and broaden my own. You will find I am always available and transparent with our residents about any topic.
Do you have any examples of a time when you held a dissenting opinion in a professional setting? How did you approach voicing your stance in the face of disagreement? ‘Approach’ in service work is key. When we address complex topics, it is important to come to the table without assumptions or prescriptive solutions. Dialogue and exchange of ideas without a preconceived ‘answer’ is the best formula to analyze the many facets of an issue and maximize the outcomes of a decision. It’s important to ask questions, seek understanding, pause before reacting, and run scenarios to assess the impact of any one decision upon the greater whole.
MacDonald, Parkhill, Hickman, and Stockton
The field for the Wayzata City Council race has been set, barring a withdrawal by one of the four candidates. The Wayzata residents who have filed to run are:
MacDonald currently serves as a Councilwoman and was appointed after Johanna Mouton was elected Mayor.
Parkhill serves as the Planning Commission Chairman and has run for council previously.
Chris Hickman is a retired pilot and 30 year resident of Wayzata.
Larissa Stockton serves as the Vice Chair of the Planning Commission.
Current City Councilman Jeff Buchanan did not file to run within the filing window.
Candidates have until August 18th to withdraw their names from the race. Stay tuned to Wayzata.com for additional news and information.
Incumbent City Councilwoman Molly MacDonald and Planning Commission Chair Jeff Parkhill have filed so far
The race for Wayzata City Council is underway as the filing window from August 2nd through August 16th is now open.
Wayzata City Council member Molly MacDonald has filed to enter the race.
MacDonald was previously appointed to a vacant seat by the Council when then Councilwoman Johanna Mouton was elected Mayor in the 2020 election and began serving her term in 2021.
Image courtesy City of Wayzata.
Councilman Jeff Buchanan’s 4 year term also expires at the end of the year.
Buchanan did not immediately return a message inquiring as to whether or not he intends to run again. He previously served as the Chair of the Planning Commission and was elected in the 2018 election.
Image courtesy City of Wayzata.
Planning Commissioner Jeff Parkhill has filed to run for Wayzata City Council. He currently serves as the Chair.
Parkhill was a finalist for Mouton’s vacant seat appointment in 2020.
Submitted photo.
Interested parties may pick up an application at Wayzata City Hall during business hours. The filing fee is $5, and candidates must be 21 years of age or older and be a Wayzata resident for 30 days prior to the Nov. 8th election.
*Filing information current as of the end of the business day on 08/2/2022.
While much is still undecided at the national level of the 2020 election, we know how things shook out closer to home.
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| Cathy Iverson & Alex Plechash |
Wayzata City Council
Wayzata Planning Commissioner Cathy Iverson and current Wayzata City Councilmember Alex Plechash came out on top of a four-candidate race Tuesday.
Iverson received 1,416 votes (31.38%) while Plechash was re-elected with 1,133 votes. (25.11%).
Another planning commissioner, Jeff Parkhill, gathered 993 votes (22.01%).
Meanwhile, current City Councilmember Dan Koch finished fourth with 925 votes (20.50%).
Current City Councilmember Johanna McCarthy won her bid for mayor. She ran unopposed.
Minnesota Senate District 33
Republican incumbent Sen. David Osmek retains his Minnesota Senate District 33 seat with win over Democratic challenger Gretchen Piper. Osmek had 53.98% of the vote. Piper had 45.96%.
Minnesota House District 33A
Republican incumbent Rep. Jerry Hertaus has defeated Democratic challenger Caitlin Cahill to retain Minnesota House District 33A. Hertaus had 58.06% of the vote while Cahill had 41.90%.
U.S. Congressional District 3
Incumbent Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips has defeated Republican challenger Kendall Qualls in the U.S. House District 3. Phillips had 55.58% of the vote while Qualls had 44.35%.
Hennepin County Commissioner District 6
Chris LaTondresse will replace Hennepin County Commissioner Jan Callison with win over Dario Anselmo. LaTondresse won with 52.55% of the vote.
There are high-profile election races this year such as the one for President that are making headlines.
But there are several decisions voters will need to make that are at much more local level.
Wayzata is a good example with several races to be uniquely decided by the city’s residents.
Wayzata.com has been tracking local elections throughout 2020 – you can see previous coverage here.
City Council
First off, Wayzata will have a new mayor in 2021 and the make up of the city council will change too.
Current Mayor Ken Willcox is not seeking re-election after 12 years as mayor.
City Councilmember Johanna McCarthy is the only person to throw her hat in the ring for the mayor’s seat. Barring a major write-in campaign of another candidate, McCarthy will be Wayzata’s next mayor.
McCarthy moving a few seats down in the city council chamber will open up an opportunity for an appointment. We’ll get to that in a bit.
Meanwhile, four candidates are competing for two council seats. Incumbents Dan Koch and Alex Plechash are seeking re-election. Planning Commissioners Cathy Iverson and Jeffrey Parkhill running to join the council.
Assuming McCarthy becomes the city’s next mayor, no matter who wins the council race, there will be a vacancy to fill.
McCarthy will vacate her council seat for the mayoral seat. The council will then need to appoint someone for McCarthy’s seat. The drama of the Wayzata city elections will carry over into 2021 with the decision of the appointment.
Minnesota House
Democratic candidate Caitlin Cahill is challenging incumbent Republican Rep. Jerry Hertaus for the Minnesota House District 33A seat.
Hertaus was first elected to the legislature in 2012.
He serves on the House Property and Local Tax Division, State Government Finance Division, Subcommittee on Local Government, and Ways and Means Committees.
Hertaus is a business owner and lives in Greenfield.
Cahill grew up in Plymouth and graduated from the Wayzata Schools. She is serving in her second term as a city council member in Maple Plain.
In a previous interview with Wayzata.com, Cahill stated, “We live in some of the fastest-growing communities in the state, and we need practical, forward-thinking representation to match that growth. Business as usual will not suffice. I will make it a priority to listen to constituents and develop data-driven solutions to make our communities even better.”
Minnesota Senate
Democratic candidate Gretchen Piper is challenging incumbent Republican Sen. David Osmek for the Minnesota Senate District 33 seat.
Osmek was first elected to the legislature in 2012.
He serves as Chair of the Senate Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy Committee.
He is a healthcare consultant and lives in Mound.
Piper is a business owner who grew up in Hamel, and now lives in Wayzata.
In a previous interview with Wayzata.com, Piper stated, “I’m running to put our shared values into action, not the values of a political party. I’m committed to listening to you and being part of constructive, common sense solutions that benefit our communities – all of us.”
Third Congressional District
U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips is up for re-election in Minnesota Congressional District 3.
Phillips, a Democrat, defeated Republican Erik Paulsen in 2018.
Phillips is a member of the House Ethics, Financial Services and Foreign Affairs Committees, as well as the Democracy Reform Task Force and the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.
His challenger is Republican Kendall Qualls.
Qualls grew up in New York and served in the U.S. Army.
He later worked in the healthcare industry for several companies including Medtronic.
Hennepin County Commissioner
Jan Callison is not seeking reelection to the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners serving the 6th District.
Dario Anselmo and Chris Latondresse are squaring off for the seat.
Anselmo has lived in Edina for 20 years and has worked in the commercial real estate business for 28 years.
Latondresse grew up and raised his family in Hopkins and is currently the Vice-Chair of the Hopkins School Board.
Three Rivers Park District
Incumbent Three Rivers Park District Board Member Marge Beard is running unopposed for the District 1 seat.
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Along with other Minnesotans, Wayzatans will also vote for President and a U.S. Senate seat.
It is less than a month to the general elections and Wayzata residents will choose two city council candidates of a total of four on the ticket. Current council members Dan Koch and Alex Plechash are seeking reelection while planning commissioners Cathy Iverson and Jeffrey Parkhill are looking to join the city council.
Wayzata.com asked each candidate to submit a statement to voters in 250 words or less.
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| Cathy Iverson |
Business Environment — The City must define a vision for a vibrant future that balances the needs of residents, businesses and visitors. As a destination city, we have devoted significant resources to attracting tourists. Let’s enjoy all the good work that our City has undertaken and take a breath to put a development plan in place. Now is the time to develop a 5-year plan to enhance the community for residents.
We must review and edit our building standards to save our small-town charm. This will require creative architecture and following existing height ordinances.
No property should be considered too important to be exempt from our vision of the city. Even major redevelopments must respect our height ordinances. Wayzata should not allow a massive urban building to dominate our downtown and loom over our lakefront.
Traffic – Safety — With growth have come traffic and safety concerns. Neighborhoods are dealing with increased traffic cut-through and speeding. Wayzata Blvd. has become dangerous for cars and pedestrians.
Density – We need to listen to citizens’ concerns about increased density. It is possible to protect our “small town charm” with reasonable lot sizes and tree canopies, while increasing density selectively and wisely.
Fiscal Responsibility — With the worlds uncertainties, the City must careful review ALL expenditures.
Boardwalk/Panoway–The City promised this project would be 100% funded with private dollars. No residents tax dollars. This does not need to be paid for and maintained by the residents of Wayzata.
I met my wife, Cindy, at Wayzata High School 30 years ago. We have two daughters, Sophie, and Abbey. I graduated from Wayzata High School and studied economics at St. Olaf College. I am a Vice President of Commercial Lending at Bridgewater Bank, where I build relationships and serve businesses, real estate investors and entrepreneurs.
I currently serve on the Wayzata City Council, Interfaith Outreach Finance Committee and am the Treasurer of the Lake Effect Conservancy Board. I previously served as Board Chair of the Greater Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce.
Wayzata is a special place to call home. It has changed a lot since I first moved to the area 35 years ago. Despite the changes, it has maintained the small-town charm that makes it so great.
Maintaining this charm does not mean we should sit back, say “No” to everything and do nothing for the next few years for the sake of taking a breath.
I believe the council needs to be proactive in the management of change and growth in the City. I have had the honor and pleasure of serving you on the City Council for the past four years.
In my first term, I have focused on maintaining the financial strength of the City, keeping a balanced approach to development, enhancing our parks and public spaces, and supporting policies that help our businesses thrive. I look to continue fostering these priorities in my second term.
I appreciate your vote to make that happen.
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| Jeffrey Parkhill |
I have 35 years of business and real estate experience. I have an MBA from the University of Chicago and was a practicing CPA. My sole focus as a councilman will be to help maintain Wayzata’s charm for my grandkids. I have traveled to other countries, been in lots of beautiful cities and have lived in four major metros in the U.S. Wayzata ranks extremely high on a national and international scale of places to live. Wayzata is home and a special place to protect from the outside pressures of change.
My greatest concern is that our downtown and lake front becomes a place where residents don’t go on the weekends. For years we have had a cottage near Lake Geneva, Wis. I stopped going “downtown” because it stopped appealing to me…as a local resident. Lake Geneva made the decision to cater to the tourists … not the residents.
We want to be welcoming. We want students to come and learn about the lake, small scale development and our businesses to flourish. We need to lease up our vacant space, improve connectivity between neighborhoods and execute our 2040 comprehensive plan. Which I helped create.
There are lots of market forces that want to sell Wayzata to the highest bidder. As a Council member, you residents will be my priority. My promise is that I will listen and make sure all of you still want to come “downtown”… EVEN ON THE WEEKENDS. Visit me at Jeffparkhill.com
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| Alex Plechash |
Living in Wayzata was not happenstance. I consciously chose it as my home and it’s where I have lived for 26 years which is significant when you consider that I’ve lived in 12 different states (since college), been deployed overseas and visited 42 different countries. I know a great place when I see it.
My life is about service; not only as a councilman, but as a Volunteer Firefighter for the past 14 years. Taken together, it’s a very effective way of learning about the heart of a community. My service life began at the U. S. Naval Academy where I majored in Aerospace Engineering. I had the privilege of being nominated for a Rhodes Scholarship and ultimately received a Guggenheim Fellowship for graduate study at Princeton, Cal Tech and MIT. Although the service academies are counted among the very best colleges in the country, they are fundamentally about training leaders. Graduating near the top of my class, I chose to be commissioned in the Marine Corps and had the privilege of serving as a fighter pilot.
What I learned at the academy … practiced as a Marine … and honed in business was genuine leadership; not the kind that comes with titles and publicity, but the kind that is characterized by the term “Servant-Leader.” I have been told I have the ability to listen to a variety of viewpoints and assimilate disparate data from which to make reasoned and balanced decisions. That is what I bring to the City.
The Minnesota primary will take place Tuesday, August 11, and Wayzata voters will have a variety of choices to make.
Some of those choices include: U.S. Senate, U.S. Third Congressional District, and Hennepin County Commissioner.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Below is a link to a sample primary ballot for Wayzata residents.
https://myballotmn.sos.state.mn.us/ShowImage.aspx?i=0594DBB0-CE1A-4DB8-B1E3-3064AA749168
Filing for the Wayzata mayor and two council seats ends Tuesday, August 11.
So far, Wayzata city council member Johanna McCarthy is the lone candidate for mayor. Current mayor, Ken Willcox, announced in July that he would not seek a fourth term.
Meanwhile, Wayzata Planning Commissioners Cathy Iverson and Jeffrey Parkhill announced they are running for city council. Current city council members Dan Koch and Alex Plechash are up for re-election.
The mayoral and city council seats are four-year terms.
Read more about the candidates Wayzata residents will chose in the 2020 election here:
https://www.wayzata.com/p/2020-election.html?m=1
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Jim Gooley 933
2006
City Council (two seats)
*Sue Bangert 1,126
*Jack Amdal 758
Tom Tanner 695
Doug Hudson 539
2008
Mayor
*Ken Willcox 1,803 (unopposed)
City Council (two seats)
*Andrew Mullin 1,210
*Mary Bader 1,196
Tom Tanner 948
2010
City Council (two seats)
*Tom Tanner 898
*Jack Amdal 861
Jim Wilson 749
2012
Mayor
*Ken Willcox 1,842 (unopposed)
City Council (two seats)
*Andrew Mullin (re elected) 1261
*Bridget Anderson 1079
Alex Plechash 1076
2014
City Council (two seats)
*Steven Tyacke 865
*Johanna McCarthy 799
Alex Plechash 789
Jack Amdal 730
2016
Mayor
*Ken Willcox 2,226 (unopposed)
City Council (two seats)
*Dan Koch 1,718 (unopposed)
*Alex Plechash 1,715 (unopposed)
2018
City Council (two seats)
*Johanna McCarthy ,1337
*Jeff Buchanan 1,028
Cathy Iverson 956
Barry Petit 821
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